Babeu eyes D.C. from Arpaio's shoulders

I knew that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was running for Congress back in February, when he told me he wasn't interested in running for Congress.

"I've never really aspired to run for Congress," Babeu said at the time. "I'm tracking for re-election. I love this opportunity to serve as sheriff, and I know for a fact that we've made a difference. I'm not ruling anything out, but I can tell you sincerely that I love this position because we have the ability to directly impact and improve public safety for families."

The cagey Babeu told me back then that he'd been approached about running for higher office.

"Well, a lot of people have encouraged me," he said, "including the senator (John McCain). I'm humbled by that and encouraged by it and I think - starting my third year as sheriff - that it is a high compliment that we are doing a good job and they want us to add value to the state and our country in other ways. So I don't dismiss it out of hand."

That is why the "Sheriff Paul Babeu for Congress Exploratory Committee" was formed this week, with Babeu proclaiming, "I believe it may be time for a new sheriff in Washington."

From the moment he was elected Babeu transformed himself into Arpaio2.0 - a younger, better looking, more polished version of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. It was Arpaio who put the low-profile position of county sheriff into the national spotlight. But it is Babeu who takes it to the next level.

It turns out that the ambitious young sheriff can see D.C. from Arpaio's shoulders.

Babeu spent a good portion of 2010 traveling the state in support of McCain's re-election. He learned from a master how to play the national political game. That's why he is quick to reinforce that he would not be running solely on the issue that brought him to national attention - immigration.

"I've spoken to many leaders in our state," Babeu told me this week. "I have spoken to both senators. To our Republican congressmen. Leaders outside the state. Our staff in the Sheriff's Office. My family. We're exploring this to see if the support is there. Many have encouraged me to run, not just for the issues that I have dealt with in the Sheriff's Office but with the greater national issues in which so many families are hurting. . . . My belief is that instead of raising taxes or borrowing additional money that we don't have, we should look to the private sector and small business to create jobs. I'm a fiscal conservative who believes that we should reduce taxes and regulations to send a message of sanity and predictability to the business community."

That's the company line if you plan to win in a solidly Republican district. And he does.

If the current redistricting model holds, Babeu will seek office in a district that covers much of rural western Arizona and has a big Republican voter advantage. He'll likely have some competition, but no one with more name recognition.

"It would be easy for me to stay and continue to get re-elected (as sheriff)," he said. "But I have been moved to explore this opportunity. . . . I won't ever lose the fact that I served as a sheriff. I will always have that as the core of my identity. So, with me, if a sheriff goes to Washington and I am behind closed doors, people here won't have to question whether I am the strongest voice in the room for them. Or what my opinion will be."

Babeu has become a staple on the talk shows of Fox News. It's great exposure. But name recognition is like a blank check; it's only valuable if you cash it.

Babeu is headed to the bank.

He gained national attention when he appeared in McCain's "build the danged fence" campaign commercial last year, strolling along the border in his sheriff's uniform with McCain and telling him in the end, "Senator, you're one of us."

I told him that I pictured a future campaign commercial with Babeu and McCain in business suits strolling down the steps of the U.S. Capitol and the senator saying to him, "Sheriff, you're one of us."